Massage Therapist Salary in Wisconsin: $60,551 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $60,551/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,830 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sheboygan ($83,200), Racine ($64,740), Mount Pleasant ($64,644).
In 2026, massage therapists in Wisconsin are projected to earn an average median salary of $60,551, slightly below the national average of $61,975, marking a difference of -2.3%. The disparity in earnings across different cities is significant, with the highest-paying city, Sheboygan, offering $88,217, and the lowest, Eau Claire, at $46,102, reflecting a substantial gap of $42,115. This variance can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, demand for massage therapy services, and the concentration of wellness facilities in different areas. To practice in Wisconsin, therapists must meet state licensing requirements, which include completing a board-approved training program and passing a licensing exam. These regulations help ensure a standardized scope of practice, contributing to the profession's credibility and ongoing demand. In terms of job markets, Wisconsin's massage therapy sector shows promising growth, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 6.03% from 2025. Areas such as Racine, Mount Pleasant, Appleton, and Onalaska are notable for competitive salaries, with projections reaching up to $68,644, $68,542, $68,241, and $65,599 respectively. Overall, the outlook for massage therapists in Wisconsin remains positive, supported by ongoing demand and regulatory framework.
Wisconsin Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $20,315 (lowest entry-level) to $126,971 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin massage therapists earn 2.3% less than the national median ($-1,424/year difference).
Wisconsin Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in Wisconsin range from $26,214 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $109,654 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,551. The Wisconsin median is $1,424 below the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $29.11/hr. Approximately 1,370 massage therapists are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,501
2025 BLS Actual
$57,107
2026 Current Est.
$60,551
2019–2027 Growth
+51.1%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,501 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,844 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,003 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,748 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,473 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,107 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,551 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,202 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 34.4% from $42,501 (2019) to $57,107 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,202 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,701 (51.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.03% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Eau Claire | $46,102 |
| Madison | $52,040 |
| Wisconsin Rapids | $58,893 |
| Middleton | $59,386 |
| Milwaukee | $59,748 |
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan | $88,217 | 94.014 | $93,834 |
| Appleton | $68,241 | 92.419 | $73,839 |
| Mount Pleasant | $68,542 | 93.4 | $73,385 |
| Racine | $68,644 | 95.961 | $71,533 |
| La Crosse | $64,731 | 91.769 | $70,537 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $26,214 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,551 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $109,654 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheboygan | $88,217 |
| 2 | Racine | $68,644 |
| 3 | Mount Pleasant | $68,542 |
| 4 | Appleton | $68,241 |
| 5 | Onalaska | $65,599 |
| 6 | La Crosse | $64,731 |
| 7 | Oshkosh | $64,509 |
| 8 | West Allis | $64,285 |
| 9 | Beloit | $64,104 |
| 10 | Janesville | $63,957 |
| 11 | Fitchburg | $63,859 |
| 12 | Greenfield | $63,853 |
| 13 | Kenosha | $63,705 |
| 14 | Menomonee Falls | $63,300 |
| 15 | Green Bay | $63,226 |
| 16 | Brookfield | $63,150 |
| 17 | West Bend | $63,116 |
| 18 | De Pere | $63,067 |
| 19 | New Berlin | $62,947 |
| 20 | Wausau | $62,453 |
| 21 | Sun Prairie | $62,413 |
| 22 | Caledonia | $62,244 |
| 23 | Muskego | $62,109 |
| 24 | Stevens Point | $61,820 |
| 25 | Franklin | $61,750 |
| 26 | Oak Creek | $61,556 |
| 27 | Superior | $61,461 |
| 28 | Manitowoc | $61,432 |
| 29 | Fond du Lac | $61,242 |
| 30 | Pewaukee | $61,203 |
| 31 | South Milwaukee | $61,023 |
| 32 | Pleasant Prairie | $61,014 |
| 33 | Menomonie | $60,951 |
| 34 | Whitewater | $60,946 |
| 35 | Wauwatosa | $60,893 |
| 36 | Germantown | $60,850 |
| 37 | Marshfield | $60,826 |
| 38 | River Falls | $60,526 |
| 39 | Waukesha | $60,501 |
| 40 | Mequon | $60,029 |
| 41 | Platteville | $60,024 |
| 42 | Milwaukee | $59,748 |
| 43 | Middleton | $59,386 |
| 44 | Wisconsin Rapids | $58,893 |
| 45 | Madison | $52,040 |
| 46 | Eau Claire | $46,102 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore massage therapist hourly pay in Wisconsin cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.
Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in Wisconsin?
How many massage therapists are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin city offers the best value for massage therapists?
Written by Jordan Lee, LMT
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in massage therapy. They specialize in sports massage. They work in a wellness center.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 massage therapist compensation across Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 metro areas — larger metro areas with more massage therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.03%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for massage therapists (SOC 31-9011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, LMT, a licensed massage therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov